Nevada County picayune., 1887-12-21
Presidents Message.
 nA..nt1nued from Firs, Page.l

maintain he price of any commod- ity 10 the tariff the point, furnish es proof that some one IS wlIllngto accept lower prices for such com mudlty and that uch prices are reinunerative; and lower prices produced by competition prove the same thing. Thus where either of these conditions exist case would seem to be presented for an easy reduction of taxation.
 The considerations which have been presenting touching onr taI- if laws, are intended only to en- force earnest recommendation that the surplus revenues of the government, be prevented by the red uctiOn of our customs dutles, and at some time to emphasize suggestion that in accomplishing this purpose we may discharge a double duty to our people, be granting 10 them measure of re- liet from tariff taxation ln quarters where it is most needed, and from sources where it can be most fairly and justly accorded. Nor can the presentation made of such conside- rations be, with any degree of fair ness, regarded as evidence ot un- friendliness toward our manutact- uring interests. or of any lack of appreciation of their value and im- portancc. These interests constr tute the leading and most sub- stantia, element of our national greatness, and furnish the proud pIoot of our country's progress But if Tn the emergency that press es upon us our manufacturers are asked 10 surrender something for the public good and to avert dis aster, their patriotism, as well as a grateful recognition of advantages already offered, should lead them to willing cooperation. No de- mand is made that they shall fore go all the benefits of government tai regard, but they cannot fail tc be admonished of their duty as well as their enlightened self-mter' est and safety when they are re minded of the fact that financial panic and collapse, to which the present condition tends, affords no greater shelter or protection tc our manufacturers than to our oth' CT important enterprises. Oppor tunity for safe, careful and delibe rate reform is now offered, ano none of us should be unmlndful oi time when an abused and irritat' ed people, needless of those who have resisted timely and reasona ble relief, may insist upon a radl cal and sweeping rectitication O their wrongs. The difficulty at tending a wise and fair revision O our tariff law S is not under estima ted. It will require on the part o congress great labor and es pecially broad and national con temptation of the subject and | patriotic disregard of such loca and selfish claims as are unreason able and reckless of the welfare oI the entlfe country.
 Under our present laws more than four thousand articles art subject to duty. Many of these do not in any way compete with our own manufactures, and many are hardly worth attention as sub iects of revenue. A considerable reduction can be made in the az gregate by adding them to the free list, the taxation of luXuries pre- sents no features of hardship; but the necessaries of life used and consumed by all the people, the duty upon which adds to the cost of living in every home should bt greatly cheapened. The radica reduction ofthe duties imposed up on raw material used in manutact ures or the free importation is. oI course, an important factor in any effort to reduce the price of these necessities.
 It would not only relieve then from the increased cost caused by the tariff on such material, but the manufactured product being thus cheapened that part of the tariff now laid upon such product as a compensation to our manuiactu rers for the present, the price of raw material could be accordingly modified. Such reduction as free importation would serve, besides largely 10 reduce the.reVenue. Ii is not apparent how such change can have any injurious effect upon our manufactures. On the contra ry, it would appear to give them a better chance in foreign markets with the manufacturers of other countries, who chcapen their wares by free material. Thus ouI people might have the opportuni ty of extending their sales beyond the limits of some consumption, saving them from depression, in- terruptiOn in business and loss caused by glutted domestic mar ket, and atiording their employees more steady lahor, with it's result. ing quiet and contentment. The question thus imperatively pre-, sented for solution should be ap- preached in q spirit higher than mere craftsmanship, and considered in the light of that regard tor pa triotic duty, which should charac- teriZe the action of those intruSt- al ,pith tba Vvoal of o cnpti ,Iir., ,.on